Comments on: GM Has More Than Two New E-Flex Vehicles Already at Scale-Model Stage of Development

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:08:16 +0000

I would bet that those two are the 2012 Pontiac and Saturn versions of the Volt…

Mike

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 01:13:38 +0000

I haven’t read all the comments, but–
Has anyone got facts and figures of using about half carbon fiber frames for cars, in the same way as the new Boing planes are being built, for reduction of weight? Too expensive? Maybe, but lighter, stronger, easy to shape, etc. Then the battery weight will become less of a problem.

By: RB

RB — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:00:26 +0000

#84 noel

Yes as you said there have been a number of comments from writers who prefer the production Volt’s appearance. That may be the majority view.

As a person on the other side, in #83 I was just responding in a light-hearted way (with a smiley face) to agree with Jake’s own comment. But he’s not alone in his preference for the production version.

By: noel park

noel park — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:51:52 +0000

#65 Texas & #79 Len:

Actually, I think that you are both right.

#83 RB:

Actually, I have seen several comments here just today saying the same thing as #82 Jake about the looks of the production model vs. the concept. Count me in as agreeing with him as well. I don’t care what it looks like as long as it has the best possible AER and fuel mileage.

By: RB

RB — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:12:13 +0000

#83 Jake — Yes, I think you are the only one.

By: Jake

Jake — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:09:29 +0000

What vertical fin on the Volt? Either way, winglets on airplanes are on the ends of the wings because that’s where the tip vortices are. This produces a significant amount of drag. I can’t imagine where the Volt’s shape would produce a similar phenomenon. Also, the speeds involved are much different. Who knows though…I’m just an engineering student, not an engineer.

In my opinion, sterilizing the automobile in the name of efficiency would produce a huge backlash against the green movement. Anyways, I don’t think low drag necessarily has to come at the expense of style. Certainly a shift in public perception about what looks good in a car might help streamline the greening of the automobile, but if you force too much on people they’ll get upset.

I think as automakers fight to reconcile greenness with consumer taste, this problem will solve itself. GM is already working on it with the Volt, making it as efficient as possible while keeping it a visually appealing car. I may be the only one who thinks the production model looks better (so far) than the concept.

By: RB

RB — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:03:23 +0000

#76 jefro —- Yes, it must be dusty.

By: ElectricTadpole

ElectricTadpole — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 22:49:23 +0000

Well, I think we have our answer as to why there has been such a disappointingly low number of Volts projected for the first few years of production. There will be a huge number of eFlex vehicles coming out, but only a few will be Volts. GM has this issue spot on. Look at all of us arguing over what type of erev each of us really wants. GM plans to make as many of us as happy as possible as early as possible (well, maybe not counting that negotiation phase about the price). Me, I like the idea of something like an eHHR. What about an eHHR pickup? Yeah, you lose a little range, but you can toss junk in the bed of a pickup that doesn’t fit inside a vehicle or that stinks and belongs in a flower bed or that is heading to the county dump.
All of these body styles have a point and a purpose and that is what a full line car company knows well. No sleep Bob, 200 million erevs in 20 years. Lets see the General do it.

By: Len

Len — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 22:13:59 +0000

Texas – “In the future when we humans have a handle on our resources and can be responsible tenants of the planet we can go crazy. However, right now it’s kind of like stealing money out of your mother’s purse to buy that pair of cool jeans.”

I disagree – it is more like stealing money out of your child’s piggybank. We will be long dead by the time the responsible tenants are a majority.

I will have an electric car. It remains to be seen if it will be a Volt. It will most likely be something a bit more affordable with a higher AER, and maybe no ICE.

By: noel park

noel park — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 21:48:18 +0000

#77 doggydogworld:

Neither can our S-10! It has the old 2.2L 4 banger with the 5 speed. Try to even move a trailer away from a stop and it’s bye-bye clutch. It’s a great little parts runner and commuter though. 25 mpg combined every tank. At 25K miles a year, almost all within 40 miles, and the ability to charge at work, E-flex would save us some serious bucks.

That’s all I’m talking about. Towing trailers is another whole story.

Even a small van would work. I saw a Mazda 5 this morning. Something like that, or maye even a little smaller would be perfect. At risk of offending anyone, the HHR just doesn’t do it for me. If I wanted a 1950 Suburban, I’d buy one.